In this first meeting since last week’s inaugural,
the council Monday night also reviewed policies and made committee
appointments.
Larry Gomes, assistant trail master for the White Mountains Ridge Runners
Club, discussed the club's request for $2,000.
Gomes explained that the club wants to purchase an emergency response
vehicle as a regional resource to be used for injured riders and hikers. He
said the proposed vehicle would be a utility terrain vehicle capable of
negotiating rough terrain in any season. It would have a specialized medical
transport skid attached to the cargo bed that could accommodate a patient
and medical attendant as well as medical supplies.
Gomes said Fish and Game officials met with the club last spring and
encouraged the organization to lead an effort to purchase an emergency
rescue vehicle.
Last summer, Gomes said there were several remote rescues that could have
used such equipment. He said there was one incident in Jericho Mountain
State Park last summer that took hours to rescue the accident victim.
As more people use Jericho park and make Berlin a destination, Gomes said
the need for an emergency response vehicle will grow. He said assuring
visitors the region has the best emergency equipment and trained first
responders as well as top notch trails will encourage them to come here.
Last October, Gomes said the club applied for a $20,000 grant from the Neil
and Louise Tillotson Charitable Foundation for the vehicle. He said the club
included letters of support from area fire departments, rescue squads, as
well as the state Fish and Game and the Bureau of Trails. Despite that, the
grant was not approved, in part because the club had received one the
previous year for its warming hut at Jericho Mountain State Park.
Gomes said the club was encouraged by the Tillotson staff to apply again
this April and advised to include donors willing to commit to the project.
So far, he said the snowmobile club has committed to funding $2,000, the
Androscoggin Valley ATV Club has pledged $1,000, and the town of Milan
agreed to donate $500. Gomes said he has secured over $10,000 in in-kind
donations of labor and supplier discounts and the club plans to raise over
$6,000 by running fund-raisers and asking riders for donations.
The emergency response vehicle would be available for rescue throughout the
region although Gomes said he thought it would be used mostly on this side
of the county. It would be housed in a dedicated trailer that could be moved
quickly to the closest access point.
He asked the city to commit to $2,000, contingent upon approval of the
Tillotson grant.
Mayor Paul Grenier said he was willing to commit to $1,000 but wanted to see
donations from other communities. Councilor Diana Nelson said towns or
departments that couldn’t afford a donation could commit to doing a fund
raiser.
Councilor Mike Rozek said he thought the city should pledge at least $1,500.
He said the rescue vehicle is a safety issue and noted the city is promoting
riding in the park.
Councilor Lucie Remillard said she would like to see all area communities
share the cost. Councilor Roland Theberge said he has been a first responder
and said he favored helping the club purchase the vehicle. Rozek said
he would like to see the city provide the entire $2,000, contingent upon the
club getting the grant. “You can’t put a price on human life,” he
said. Remillard suggested the city commit to $1,500 now with the
understanding the club could request an additional $500 if it falls short of
the total it needs.
The council agreed with Remillard’s suggestion and decided to take the money
out of the council’s contingency fund.
Picture of a similar emergency
response vehicle which consists of a Utility Terrain Vehicle
that uses wheels in the summer and tracks in the winter to quickly reach
accident victims.
Once the victim has been loaded onto the vehicle, they can be treated while
they
are being extracted from the remote site.
In its first meeting since the inauguration, the council took care of some housekeeping items. There are two new councilors, Peter Higbee and Denise Morgan Allain, on board as a result of the November election. The council agreed it would conduct meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order. The body also reviewed council’ policies.
The following committee appointments were decided:
Berlin Airport Authority - Mayor Grenier, Russell Otis, Dori Ducharme, Mike
Rozek, and Diana Nelson.
Committee of Accounts and Claims - Mayor Grenier, Lucie Remillard, Denise
Morgan Allain, Mike Rozek, and Roland Theberge.
Committee of Safety and Transportation - Lucie Remillard, Denise Morgan
Allain, Mike Rozek, and Roland Theberge.
Committee of Elections - Russell Otis, Denise Morgan Allain, Peter Higbee,
and Diana Nelson.
Committee on Emergency Action - Dori Ducharme
Planning board member - Lucie Remillard
Berlin Industrial Development and Park Authority - Diana Nelson.